Happy 44th anniversary, NDAD.

On June 5, 1975, the North Dakota Association for the Disabled Inc. was issued its certificate of incorporation under the state of North Dakota’s Nonprofit Corporation Act. North Dakota Secretary of State Ben Meier, in Bismarck, signed both the certificate and the articles of incorporation.

NDAD actually began several years earlier in Grand Forks as a small support group of area parents, including Ron and his wife, Faye, and other interested adults. The Gibbens' inspiration for forming the group was their son, Michael, who was born with cerebral palsy several years before the support group was formed.

The group wanted to share information and insight with each other about ways to allow their children and others with physical or intellectual disabilities to get the help they needed and the opportunity to reach their full potentials as individuals.

Incorporation in 1975 made the effort formal, and federal charitable nonprofit status followed the next year.

Entrance into state-authorized charitable gaming in 1982 allowed the North Dakota Association for the Disabled to dramatically expand both its charitable mission and reach.

Faye Gibbens' participation was critical to NDAD's success as its longtime client programs leader and a voice in the organization's charitable gaming growth. She died in early 2014.

Today, NDAD provides financial assistance to people with disabilities and health challenges through funds generated by both the organization and community projects. NDAD continues to offer information and referral services to help people receive assistance through other agencies whenever possible.

NDAD has maintained its Grand Forks headquarters since 2005 at 2660 S. Columbia Road. it also has offices in Minot, Fargo and Williston.